KAMPALA —The Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga has condemned the ongoing acts of Police brutality and violence in Uganda that have manifested throughout the country since Wednesday afternoon.
There have been growing protests in the different parts of the country following the arrest of National Unity Platform presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine in Luuka district on Wednesday and has since been held at Nalufenya police station.
In a parliamentary sitting yesterday the speaker said such events should not be condoned in society and called for calm saying there is life after this electoral process.
“The Media has reported demonstrations happening in various parts of the country over the arrest and detention of Presidential Aspirant Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu. In Kampala alone, it was reported that at least four (4) people lost their lives and scores sustained injuries during the demonstrations,” she said.
Kadaga further appealed to the Electoral Commission, as the body constitutionally mandated to manage electoral processes in the country, to institute all mechanisms possible to ensure adequate civic education which would deter the citizenry from engaging in such destructive behavior.
“I therefore call upon all candidates to appeal to their supporters, to exercise restraint from indulging in detestable activities, which may result in the loss of lives and property as well as livelihoods.
Special appeal is hereby made to the various security agencies and operatives to execute their duties and responsibilities as enshrined in the various legal regimes establishing them, while at the same time exercising restraint from violating human rights.”
Kadaga explained that it is crystal clear that the ongoing demonstrations and related matters are a direct replica of inadequate civic education conducted by the Electoral Commission.
“And to all fellow Ugandans out there, I wish to inform you that there’s life after elections. Uganda belongs to each and every one of us and the ongoing electoral processes should not come in between us but rather should unite us for a common good and a better Uganda, today, tomorrow and for eternity,” Kadaga noted.
In the same sitting, Kawempe South Legislator Latif Ssebaggala brought to the attention of the speaker a 16-year old boy who was shot down in his constituency as he was making a transaction on a Mobile Money kiosk.
